The new sixth edition of Modern Algebra has two main goals: to introduce the most important kinds of algebraic structures, and to help students improve their ability to understand and work with abstract ideas. The first six chapters present the core of the subject; the remainder are designed to be as flexible as possible. The text covers groups before rings, which is a matter of personal preference for instructors.  Modern Algebra, 6e is appropriate for any one-semester junior/senior level course in Modern Algebra, Abstract Algebra, Algebraic Structures, or Groups, Rings and Fields.  The course is mostly comprised of mathematics majors, but engineering and computer science majors may also take it as well.